Younger Son and his Wonderful Wife

I have been having a lot of worries recently about younger son. I have mentioned his gout – which I worried might be associated with his kidney.

He had a kidney transplant a few years ago, and refers to the transplant as Rabbie (!). He had been desperately hoping that he and his wonderful wife could come to Scotland for his father’s 70th birthday celebrations tomorrow. I had been most concerned over the past few days that, even if discharged from hospital, he would be in no way fit enough for the journey. It is so hard to let go when you desperately want something.

News started with the information that he was to stay in hospital over the weekend, but then I heard that he was getting home. Both daughter-in-law’s parents and I have been emphasising that it would really do poor younger son no good to have to face the long journey north and back again.

I tried to phone him in hospital on our mobiles but the reception kept breaking up, so we had to resort to texting. He is in remarkably good spirits I am delighted to report. I am so sorry that he can’t make his father’s birthday, but his health is much more important.

On my side, my GP has changed my anti-histamine (to good old fashioned Chlorphenamine, which in the bad old days we knew as Piriton) and said that I should see a good improvement quickly. If the swelling is not down by Monday I have to stop my Perindopril as she has come across cases of allergy to that even after of years of successful taking of it. After that I have to see her again next Friday, and once again she has made the appointment for me, even changing the time to suit as I have a dreaded appointment with the hygienist. I am a bit scared as she has told me I shall need injections for it.

Oh the joys of still having your own teeth (or at least a good number of them)!

Weather and so on......

What a beautiful day - a veritable scorcher! (especially compared to what we have been used to. Thermal undies off and even fleece off. Is this a first, I ask myself? It was all of 13.5 Celsius sun shining, blue skies.

I refuse to think about the forecasts of rain to come.

Off to the Physio exercise programme again this morning, and into Kwik-Fit on the way home.

No, the wheel is not in yet.

This afternoon to my GP to discuss a number of issues but chiefly the falls. I went in to his surgery and said "God afternoon, and now is your cue to take a deep breath, sigh and say what is it THIS time?" He is always such a gentleman, although I did raise a smile with a description of the Meehan Streak cartoon that comment derives from.

He checked everything he should and went over my medications, and reckons that as much as can be done is being done. I explained that it was Occupational Therapy who referred me on to him. However he is going to refer me properly to the local Falls Responce Service, which means that they will have to visit and assess me and my flat. While I was there, we discussed another couple of issues that had concerned me, and I am afraid I rabitted on too long.

Oh Well Then.......

As advised by the kind ambulance men who got me to my feet on Tuesday, I phoned the local Occupational Therapy service this morning.

Basically, the answer was that they could do nothing to help and recommended that I ask my General Practitioner .

This is starting to feel like The Continuing Story Of Peyton Place.

Does anyone out there remember that?

So, I have called to make a GP appointment, and got one for 29 April.

Bridge Club Hat Night

Yesterday evening was the Bridge Club Hat Night. We were to get there at 6.30 for 7pm and I had been fortunate to secure a partner from the "Monday afternoon group" to go with. There was a magnificent buffet laid on, with smoked salmon and cream cheese on blinis, little tarts with various fillings, biscuits spread with different fillings ( I particularly liked the onion relish) a cheese board, grapes, sandwiches, chicken drumsticks and so on, followed by meringue nests with cream and raspberry, mince pies with icing, Christmas cake and so on. Everything was in bite sizes and so was easy to eat. There were numerous drinks: various soft drinks and red and white wine. As a driver, I stuck to sparkling water.

"But what about the bridge", I hear you cry.

After we had eaten we had to select one from a pile of blank white cards, then afterwards turn it over and it told you which table and which seat at that table you would play. I picked table 10, playing South and found myself partnering a lady I have played with before and whom I like. There were 42 at the evening, so we played 22 boards. I don't know how well we did, but we really enjoyed ourselves.

We finished after 11 pm, so I cut and ran (or at least staggered) and came home.

Badly parked as usual, but worse than usual as I was told off this morning for taking up 2 parking places! This was because I could not see the bay markings in the dark, and was not important as I was away just after 9am for a doctor's appointment.

After checking me over and telling me off for a) putting myself at risk by getting down to mop a spill, b) for not calling for an ambulance and c) for even contemplating sleeping on the floor, he has agreed that the elastic stockings should be discontinued. He also reviewed my medications and pronounced that, although they are a lot, each one is necessary. I concur with that.

We wished each other a Merry Christmas and I came back via the filling station as the petrol level was getting very low. Parking (and even reverse parking this time) was a little squint but was at least entirely within the bay.

Oh well, then

After seeing my GP on Friday and feeling a bit better over the weekend, I had hoped to get to the bridge club this afternoon.

So I got dressed in a pretty jumper (slowly of course) - and all the other necesseties.

Then I tried to walk to the front door of the block of flats, but didn't make it without falling over. Right, that settles it, I shall have to do what I am told and see my GP tomorrow.GP,

Yesterday, S. paid a visit with her (large and growing!)puppy. It was so good to see see both of them.